Birchwood Community Church

Who we are

Leadership

Our church is led by three elders who, together with six deacons, form the Church Leadership Team.

ELDERS

Surinder (Dass)

My name is Surinder Chahal but almost everyone knows me as "Dass" (it's a long story). I've been married to Jeanette since 1987 and have two daughters; one is at school and the other at college. Although I have been at this church for over 21 years, the last few have in particular been a great blessing, not only to myself but also to the church. I work with John and Phil and, together with the tremendous support of so many others, we seek to make this church relevant to the community around us, to meet needs and share the love of God. It's an exciting time.

Phil

Hi, I'm Phil Gleave and I'm excited about what God is doing in our church and our community at this time!. I've been married to Ann for 22 years and we have three children - Emma at Manchester University, Rachel at Edge Hill Uni and Simon who's doing A levels at college. My first job was as a Teacher in Liverpool and for the past 19 years have been serving as a Police Officer in Manchester. I love walking and rough camping in the hills, enjoy anything to do with water and am planning to learn to scuba dive. It's great to be part of the Birchwood Church family and you're welcome to come along and find that out for yourself.

John

My name is John Rockley. I am married to Irene with two children away at Uni. Together with Phil and Dass, I am responsible for this church being a place where Jesus is made real in our community so that lives are changed for the better, and where folk can grow to be the people that He believes they truly are.

DEACONS

Chris

I'm Chris and, together with May Inn and Ian, I live in Oakwood. We've been here since 2004 but I first joined the church in 1985 when I became a Christian at university. I met May Inn whilst working in Belgium. I say working; I hung out with students discussing what Jesus taught and whether it is reasonable to believe in God (it is!). I now struggle with how to fit work, family, church and anything else into 7 days a week. But I'm glad to be part of church that is a real family and that is working to achieve something more valuable than money can buy. And which appreciates good coffee.

Bob

Hi, I'm Bob and I've lived in Birchwood for ten years. Married to Ruth, we have two children, Ben and Katie. In my earlier years I trained as a concert pianist before ending up as a property lawyer. Anyway, this seemingly bizarre combination made sense to God as I now enjoy playing keyboards withh our various worship bands at Birchwood Community Church as well as working through the legals for our new church premises - proving that worship can be pretty diverse! I like to follow F1 racing, consider myself a (very...) fair-weather runner and am starting to come to terms with losing every conceivable game on the Wii to Ben. Oh, and I think that Chris makes the finest coffee in Birchwood!

Dot

My name is Dot and I've lived in Birchwood for more than 25 years, watching it grow from small trees and unmade roads to the established community it has now become. I love walking in the hills (unfortunately there aren't many of those in Warrington!) and travelling to new places with a sense of curiousity and a decent guide book. I'm a civil servant focused on communications and enjoy unscrambling complex things and turning them into common sense. Or is it the other way round? As a deacon with responsibility for ministry I look after the church's communications and resources, encouraging people as they serve the Lord. I've been part of the church here almost since it started and it's exciting to see how the Lord is moving us forward within this great community.

Andy

I have a wife (Helen), two teenage children and ~~three cats~~ ~~two cats~~ one cat! My day job involves managing a Playing for Success centre which provides after-school learning programmes for young people in Wythenshawe. I am a long-suffering Sunderland fan and a season ticket holder for Warrington Wolves (I go to keep my daughter company!). As Mission Deacon my responsibility - and passion - is to encourage the church to make Jesus real to those around us who don't yet know Him. This means building personal relationships in which we demonstrate Jesus' love for our friends and neighbours and finding ways in which we can truly become a church at the heart of our community.

James

I am James and I live in Fearnhead with my wife, Johanna, and my two young children, Anna and John. I work as a Landscape Architect in a design consultancy office in Merseyside. My interests lie mostly in sport, especially football and cricket, but my heart is to see people grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus. I am the Membership Deacon responsible for looking after the church life, from home groups, practical and pastoral care and men's, women's, young peoples' and children's ministries. I desire to help us become a more caring, loving community, as Jesus commands us, remembering love needs to be put into action to be real. So, if you want to know more or need support, please contact me.